Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-08-16
Docs Protection protect.-Ir so-who9
PAPER NO. 8.

After we shall have thoroughly
discussed the question of protec-
tive tariff, VIC propose to lay before
our readers the different tariff en-
actments, or a synopsis thereof,
from the date Of its organ in 1889
to the present time. and show that
while, it was originated for the pur-
pose of encouraging manufactures
within our midst; in order that (du-
ing a war, or any cessation of COM
mercial intercourse with any nation
on which we were dependent for
certain supplies,) that we might
produce them at home. No idea
Of protecting the American laborer
entered into the scheme at all, and
it was not until 1894 that it became
political factor.
General Hancock in his letter of
acceptance said "that the tariff is a
local issue - and while it is claim
cd this utterance defeated him.
nothing more true was eyer utter
ed. A study of the question will
show that it has always been gov
erned by the desires of certain local
tiles as they developed. In 1924
Daniel Webster was opposed to a
protective tariff. In 1928 the devel-
opmcnt Of manufactures at Lowell
This honey Lawrence, Andover,
Lynn and other contiguous places
in Massachusetts,, made him one of
its warmest advocates. But this is
for the moment foreign to the ques-
ton whether or not protection pro-
tects.
Let us take for moment a cur
sorry view of the strikes that have
occurred in this country in the last
ten years as a basis of argument.
1t is not necessary to particularize.
The general fact will answer our
purpose to prove that protection
does not protect. Demagogues using
the seductive argument that the
poor laboring man is the burden of
their cares, have induced them to
vote to keep party IN power that
is crushing the life out of them
making the rich richer, the poor
poorer.
Protective tariff has fostered into
existence hundreds of manufactures
which never would have existed but
for it. As result over-production
has been caused. Resulting from
this, prices have declined below the
cost of production; following this
necessity for the reduction Of
cost comes; to make This reduction,
wages must be cut down. Now this
protective system has enabled the
manufacturer temporarily to pay
high wages. The laborer in his
momentary prosperity surrounds
himself with things beyond his
regular means and educates himself
up to higher standard of living
than he has been accustomed to.
The reduction of pay is ordered
under this higher standard to which
he has educated himself. He cannot
lire on the reduced wages. The
next result is a strike, and a lock-
out. These numerous institutions
Gas we have before said, fostered
into existence by this ubiquitous
system) have a supply of goods on
hand sufficient to meet the demands
for months to come, and are glad
to have an excuse to turn their
hands off. The laborers in sulleu
crowds hang around the saloons
because they have no emplOYment)
and their little earnings 60 for
whiskey while their wives and little
ones starve and slave at home.
The continued repetition Of this
thing shows no abatement and
while there are 800 working days il
the year as an average the skilled
laborer only works about 15o-the
balance Of the time be is either on
q strike or locked out. Now the